Apparatus for measuring depths of wells



; 1,639,973 1927' c. E. VAN ORSTRAND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DEPTHS 0F WELLS Filed Jun 8, 192a 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I v Qizarlslimflnsim 1,639,973 A c. E. VAN ORSTRAND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DEPTHS 0F WELLS Filed JunQ-ii. 192s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L- Gizarles E, Viz/n flrsha/nd,

' QMMJIon Patented Aug. 23, 1927.

UNITED STATES- I I 1,639,973 PATE-NTOFFICE.

CHARLES E. VAN ORSTRAND, OF WASHIIFGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.-

arramvrus FOR mnasunins persons or wants Application filed June a, 1926. Serial No. 114,594.

This invention relates to devices for measuring depths of wells, such as oil, 'gas,arte-i sian and the like.

Among the. objects of this invention is to; provide an apparatus whereby measurements of high precision may be obtained and whereby accurate results may be obtained when the measuring is intrusted to unskilled labor. A further object ofthis invention is to provide a device whereby accurate measurements may be performed in a short spaceof time and requiring substantially a minimum of labor and attention on the part of the operator. A still further object of ing operations.

taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Other further and more specific objects of the invention will become readily appar v ent to persons skilled in the artfroma consideration of the following description when Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing my improved device in operation.

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the device'l shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevationsof modified forms of my device. a I

The apparatus comprises a base (1) "having the carriages .and (3) hinged thereto at (4) and (5), respectively. Each of these carriages is provided with bifurcated side members (6) and (7), the' 'bifurcated members (7 being distended somewhat at their free ends "to receive the'free ends of the members (6) when the carriages are brought towards each other. The frame (2) is provided with a bolt or projection (8) actingf means is prov ded to indicate to the operaas a stop for limiting the movement of the frames or carriages toward each other. Each of these frames orcarriages (2) and (3) are provided with wheels (9') and (10) journalled in and between the'respective pairs,

of bifurcated members (6) and (7 and I prefer to have the faces of these wheels wide and made of very hard materialjsuch as case-hardened or hard alloy steel in order to present a durablewearing surface to the 7 cable or sand-line (B This is important because-any wearing away the recording" wheel will reduce its'diameter and thus-in troduce errors in measurement. Also, by having the face wide and flat, the contact with the cable is not always in the same {place but permits slight side-wise motion of the cable and thus minimizes local wearing.

In. the construction shown, the wheel (10) "is provided witha registering mechanism (11) and constitutes the registering wheel. If des1red, a similar registering vdevice may "be attached to the wheel (9), to serve as a check on the measurements by the wheel (10) or to be'available for use should the registering. means,,',(11); become unserviceable for any reason.

. The registering wheel (10) carries a gear (12) which engages pinion (1 3) of the registering device (11) supported on one of the bifurcated members (7 In operation of theqdevice, the framework "(1) is atta ched by' suitable means to the grounder else to a' convenient part of the framework of the well, and the frames are swung so that the cable or sand-line (R) is positioned between therollers (9) and (10), as shown in Fig.1. The preferred angular relationship between the frames (2) and (3) and the ground is approximately as shown in Fig. 2, under which conditions the wheels (7) continue in contact with the cable, as the cable is drawn downwardly. As a further means of maintaining the frame members toward each other and the contact of the wheels (9) and (10) with the cable when in operation the resilient member or spring (14) is provided which also serves to draw the frames toward each'other.

As the sand-line or cable is moved, its contact with the registering wheel causes the latter to revolve and thus operates the register (11) which may be'adjusted to read directly the length of cable contactlng the recording wheel.

P In measuring depths of 'wells, a suitable tor when 'the'rop'e reaches the bottom ofthe well.

the sand-line after-it has passed the recording wheel (10). This steadying mechanism comprises a pair of are mounted similarlytothe carriages (2 rollers (15) and (16) similar in construc-' -adt lition to the lower carriage mechanism and wheels (15);and (16), I ;have provided another carriage mechanism comprising the swinging bifurcated members (20) and (21) which support the rollers. (22) and (23), respectively. These rollers are similar to the rollcrs (15) ,and (zl6), and .whenlthe cararound the well.

- threaded.

(28) of the pin. raised to thedesired height and the threaded .riage is brought into operative position will bear against 'thetsand-line I (R) ;above .the

registering wheel (10) andthus serve .to bringthe sandy-line in ,properalignment preliminary to .its venga ement withathe registering wheel (10). The locking ,pin.=(24) serves to lockthemembers (20) and-(21) wheels ,(22) and-(23).

The base is',prefer ably ,made of heavy {metal and -i s placed on the wooden ,floorwork The apparatus functions best when the base 1) is properlyrlevelled, and in the construction shown .in F 4 I have provided a means (for levelling thiszbase member (1). This comprises-the threaded and prevent lateral vdisplacement of the pin (25) passing loosely through the base (1) :and haviing the end .(26) taper-ed ,and This ,pin is screwed into the wooden :floorwork (27) by turning the head The frame (1) .is-then -wasl1er'(29) is thenzturned upontheithread- --.ed member (25) until "the washer bears :against the bottom rofsthev base (1). screwing the-threaded washer 30) against .the top of'the .ba se ,the :base is prevented from vertical displacement relative @to the pin (25;). This pinconstruction is provided 'ateach-.cornerofqthex-base (1') and affords ;a' convenient :means for bringing about the proper levelling.

The resentinvention is not limited to the specific details set forth in the foregoing examples -.\'vhich: should-.be construechas illustrative=and notby way ofhmitatiom'and 1n VIEW -.of' atheanumerous modifications whichmay be effected therein without departing from the spiritand scope ofithis invention, it is desiredth-at onlysuch limitations be imposed 1as arewin'dicatedin the appended claims.

liclaimwasnmy invention: I i1. :In anapparatus fQr-measurmg depths of wells,;a support, a pairiof frames, hinges.

-connecting said frames :to said support, 1 said on each frame at substantially the same distance from the hinges connecting the respective frames to the support, said frames being adapted to swing toward each other and grip a cablebetween' the-flat faces of said wheels, and,registering means upon one of said wheels.

.2. 1n tin-apparatus for measuring depths of wells, a supporting base, a pair of frames,

hin es connectin said frames to said su b v I O I port, sard frames being constrained :to substantially vertical-plane movement, ;a wide,

flatrandhard-facedregistering wheel on one of said frames andanother fiat-faced wheel on the other frame, said wheels beingmat substantially the same distance from the hinges connecting the respective frames to :the supporting base, andsaidframesbeing adapted to swingitoward eao'hother a n'd gripa cable between the flat facesiof said wheels.

3; In an :apparatus for -measuring depths of wells a support, a pair of frames, hinges iconnectingsaid frames tosaid support, said frames being constrained to substantially vertical-plane movement, a wicle, flat and ard-faced registering wheel on'each frame at substantiallylthe same distance from :the hinges connecting the respective frames to the support, said frames being adapted to swing toward each other andgripwa cable between the flat faces of saidwheels, and .kresilient means for drawing said'wheels toward each ;other. e

,4. In ,-anapparatus-for fmeasuring depths of wells, a support, aapair of frames, hinges connecting said frames to said support, said frames being :constrained to substantially vert ical-plane m vement.v each .of saidrframes comprisinga pair ofbifurcated members, a flat-faced wheel on each framewsupported by :and :between :the bifurcated members and at substantially the samedistance from the hinges connecting the respective frames to the support, said "framesbeing-adapted to swing toward-each, other and grip. a cable .between the flatfaces ofsaid wheels, and wregistering meansupon oneiof said wheels.

*5. Innn apparatus-for measuring depths ofwwells, asupport, a: plurality of pairs of Fiframes, hinges connecting said frames to said support, said frames-being constrained -:to substantiall v-.verticalplane movement, a

flat-facerlwwheel on eachlzframe, :the frames of each :pair being adapted :to swing towvard each other and gripv a cable between the -fl1at;'faces of the wheels upon said-frames, .and vregistermg .;meansl;upon .one .of said wheels.

6. =II1 an apparatus-for measuring *depths of wells-,- 5a support, ,a plurality of @pairs of 'frames,:hmges connecting said'frames to said support, saidframes being constrained --'to -='substantia=l-ly vertical-plane movement, a -w-1'de,-flat'1 and hard-faced-rregistering wheel' onone 50f said :framesl andflat-faeedswheels on the other frames, the Wheels on each pair of frames being at substantially the same distance from the hinges connecting the respective frames to the supporting base, and said frames being adapted to swing toward each other and grip a cable between the fiat faces of thewheels upon said frames.

7. In an apparatus for measuring depths of wells, a support, means for levelling said support, a pair of frames, hinges connecting said frames't-o said support, said framesbeing constrained to substantially verticalplane movement, a flat-faced Wheel on each frame at substantially the same distance from the hinges connecting the respective frames to the support, said frames being adapted to swing toward each other and grip acable between the fiat faces of said wheels, and registering means upon one of said wheels.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. CHARLES E. VAN ORSTRAND. 

